Luzerne County gets $12M from gaming
Four towns receive $1M each
The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded $12,499,058 in gaming funds Wednesday to finance 37 projects throughout Luzerne County.
Four local municipalities - Pittston, Hanover Twp., Kingston and Hazleton - received $1 million in gaming grants from the independent state agency that distributes money generated by the state's casinos. Luzerne County's share of funds come from Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Plains Twp.
Pittston received $1 million for its Main Street revitalization program, which involves redeveloping the business district bound by Main, Kennedy, Spring and Charles streets and nearby locations. The funds will be used to acquire and demolish two residential units, extend the Main Street streetscape, complete a library expansion and rehabilitate seven properties.
The city initially asked for more than $3 million but is "certainly appreciative" of the $1 million award, said city Manager Joe Moskovitz.
"No one can be unhappy or dissatisfied with receiving a $1 million grant," Mr. Moskovitz said. "Here in northeastern Pennsylvania and in Luzerne County, these casino grants represent the single best opportunity to obtain state funding."
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Twp. received $400,000 to double the size of its neuroscience area and increase an area for hospital-based physicians and palliative medicine specialists, who offer pain relief and other symptom management for those with life-threatening illnesses. The project will result in the creation of 21 full-time, permanent jobs.
Geisinger officials are "appreciative that these funds are being allocated to programs that will help improve the community and we are grateful that our expansion projects were included among these initiatives," said spokesman Matt Van Stone.
State Sen. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Twp., said creating jobs, enhancing public safety, improving infrastructure and revitalizing aging communities are all critical to the economic recovery of Luzerne County and the funding from the gaming industry "has provided us an opportunity to tackle all these initiatives."
"All of these projects are well-deserving of the state support and it is my hope that they will attract business and put local residents back to work," Mr. Yudichak said.
West Pittston received a total of $1,325,000, including $750,000 for flood recovery in the central business district. Crown Display Manufacturing, a business in West Pittston, received $200,000 to expand its manufacturing operation. United Neighborhood Community Development Corporation, the nonprofit organization that turned the former Hitchner Biscuit Co. building into apartments, received $375,000 to renovate an old high school at 311-313 Luzerne Ave. and construct 22 apartments.
Pittston Twp. was awarded $350,000 to construct a one-story addition adjacent to the municipal building for the police department and complete renovations to the vacated space for administrative offices.
"This award will give Pittston Twp. the resources needed to expand their facilities to accommodate job growth and enhance public safety," said state Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-Taylor. "Not only will this benefit the police department's growing workforce, but at a time when Pennsylvania's unemployment rate is on the rise, it will assist our region's growth and development."
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com Luzerne gaming grant recipients
A partial list of gaming grants awarded to communities in Luzerne County:
Duryea
n $150,000 to renovate the Municipal Building.
Pittston
n $1 million for the continuing redevelopment of the business district.
Pittston Twp.
n $350,000 to renovate and expand the Municipal Building.
West Pittston
n $750,000 to improve flood-damaged infrastructure and streetscapes in the Central Business District.
n $200,000 to purchase equipment to expand Crown Display's manufacturing. Will create 25 full-time jobs.
n $375,000 to rehabilitate an old high school on Luzerne Avenue into 22 apartments for area seniors.
Wilkes-Barre Twp.
n $500,000 for a sewer system upgrade to allow the construction of a 120-unit senior housing development.
Wilkes-Barre
n $225,000 for Vitrius Technologies to research and develop windows and glazing technologies. Will create 100 jobs.
n $425,000 for the F.M. Kirby Center to complete an energy efficiency initiative.
n $225,000 to improve facades of at least 60 homes around elementary and high schools.
n $50,000 to purchase new police cruisers.